Monday, March 05, 2012

Celebrating William

Birthday cake, topped by William and Maria

William is twenty-one, and we had a really lovely time together, celebrating his birthday. On his actual birthday, William and I made sixty chile rellenos... a delicious, new record for us. The next day friends and family gathered for dinner and a movie. We got to watch Hugo on our big screen. If you have seen this movie, then you know what a fitting and magical way this was to share one of our new favorite movies.

Real bow ties, from Michal and Kelly. You can imagine how much William loves these!

There wasn't a lot of advance planning for this fun evening, and we were really delighted to have the guests that were able to join us.

Great Grandma rode over with Grandma Delia and Aunt Becky, and Holly brought Tutu Ruth... plus cousins, and friends, and new friends... and well, a pretty great group, spending a happy evening together.

William and his Grandma BooBoo.Can I just ask: How? How does time move this swiftly? How does a baby boy so suddenly become a bright and kind young man?
And I would like to add: Thank you. I am blessed.
Amen.

The candles were not in their original package, and it took me awhile to figure out they were the kind that relight... it made them harder to light, initially...

Suki came to my aid. Gosh, look at the feast! We had rice, beans, the rellenos, deviled eggs, guacamole, a home-baked berry pie, and that enormous cake!

With thoughtful reflection, William made his wish. I hope it comes true.
I have a wish of my own: William, I wish you a long, healthful life, surrounded by friends and love, and plenty of laughter.

5 comments:

Looks like a fantastic celebration you all enjoyed. William has the most amazing style and it's lovely to see him in these photos - he usually manages to avoid the camera, I suspect..Happy birthday memories.Axxx

Happy Birthday William! That was a beautiful post, made me tear up a little. Especially that picture of William with his grandma. Thinking of her holding him as a tiny baby and now he towers over her and holds her...I don't know how it goes so fast. What a beautiful family you have Natalie.

Oh, how glorious in every way! I hope it's continuing to be the happiest of birthdays -- what a magnificent way to step right into adulthood. Well done, indeed! (And to channel our inner Phineas and Ferb: Goodbye childhood, hello carefree, undemanding adult life! [for reals!])

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I'd like to buy the world a heating pad. This is my current obsession. Thank you, Mahshid. She came over, gave me support and tools for healing, and she advised me to use a heating pad. My Mom bought one for me... and it's been amazing. It covers my back, and has flaps that drape over my shoulders. I use it on the low setting, and even though I haven't felt particularly "cold," the warmth is relaxing, calming, comforting, good. I suspect it may be one of those "obvious" things that I am lately discovering, but in case you don't know: Use a heating pad.

December 18,2018

8:57 am

I drove today. It was to test drive a 2018 Honda Odyssey. Guess what... they're space age fancy and smell like power. I skipped the freeway and just took it around the block. Honestly, I'm not exactly ready for primetime. And all day long as we compared the pros and cons of mini-vans, trucks, foreign, or domestic... my brain kept interjecting, "Let's just drive JettPuff a few more years." But that is not an option.

December 15, 2018

9:05 pm

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December 12, 2018

11:10 pm

I don’t know what to do with myself. Resting makes me stiff and feeling useless. Being “useful” makes me tired, woozy... sometimes words hang in mid-air, just out of reach. I find new bruises. The accident replays in my mind. I’m sad, and starting to feel mad... she destroyed things, plans, peace of mind. I’ll post this here... temporary. I’ll be glad to move on.

December 9, 2018

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Out To Lunch :: I am so lucky!

December 6, 2018

12:27 pm

Confession: I am making myself miserable worrying about my utter lack of "professionalism." Tonight I will be attending a holiday party for "Art Leaders" in San Diego. Leaders. Art Leaders! This feels so portentous and full of opportunities, but I am struggling with imposter syndrome, rusty skills, and no business cards. Also, I put some art (ok just 1 print) on a selling site, and again, I am plagued with nameless dread and doubt. My dreams and hopes do not match my confidence and nerve.

December 5, 2018

11:53 am

It rained and rained and rained. The garden is happy. The goats are dismayed. All is well.